Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-03
REVIEW OF MORMONrSM.
Report 81 the Utah Censnission.

d.
A majority Of the Utah commission, Messrs. G.
l. Godfrey, A. B. Williams and Arthur c. Thomas,
nave submitted their annual report to the Secre-
taly OF Inc Interior. A memorandum at the close
OF the report states that Commissioners Carlton
and McClernand, dissenting nom many of the
views expressed in the report, have withheld their
signatures. The report states that there has been
gain OF $4,000 in the population since 1880, and
Ine ptoeperlty OF the past seven years has been
equai 10 mat OF any former period. On April 1 of
tne present year the Mormon population In the
Territories OF Utah, Idaho, Arizona, wyoming,
New Mexico and the States OF Colorado and Cali
fornla was 162, 3s3. The number OF children under
eagnS years OF age was 46,6S4
sO. The RECENT DEATH or JOHN TAYLOR,
the mead OF the church, the government has de.
volved upon MILFORD Woodruff, the governor of the
the twelve apostles, an aged and energetic ma 9!
Inc report states that he will remain at the head
Oh Inc church until new revelation revives the
n1st presidency. The church teaches its members
vided courts within the church for the settlement
Q! tneir olmculties The payment Of tithfng and
osner oonauons for the support OF the church is
for 1880 was $40, 600. The building OF the Salt
Lake temple, which was commenced In 1853 has
cSst IN millions Of dollars and win not be
coMpleteo ior years to come. The people, con-
tnues tne report, are very tenacious OF what they
claim to DO their rights and have
NEVER YIELDED POINT.
they stand to-day where they stood when they
1rst entered the Territory, and persistently claim
that they have been prosecuted. The strength Of
the non-Mormon element is estimated at So 900.
The d1nerent religious denominations have now in
Utan % churches, the MethOdists having 20 the
fresoyterians l0 the Catholics 6. These several
6.66S pupils and 23O teachers. Since the passage
OF the kdmunds Law, In 1882 81 persons have
Oeen inoi 81 Ior unlawful Capitalization, and 2ss
tod Nha ,1NORp
vtcted OF polygamy was Ii.
THE JUNE CONVENTION.
The report states that In June last convention
was held for the purpose OF adopting constitu-
ton on which to demand admission to the Union.
The constitution, adopted with great unanimity,
nors and ailixes punishment. It also provides
that no further legislation shall be required to
make or define these of5enses and proclaims the
separation OF church and state. The instrument
Is silent as to the Onense OF unlawful cohabtation
The non-MormOns declined TO recognize or Join In
the convention. The Mormons claim that, having
longer denied voice In the conduct OF their own
Affairs and In the selection OF their officials.
IN THE ELECTION
which followed upon the adoption of this constitu.
ton, the non-MOrmons refused to vote, and the
homogeneous MOrmons cast - 1875 votes in its
favor, 500 votes being cast against it. The re-
port regards this State movement as an effort to
Tree the MormOn5 from what they regard as the
interference OF the United States Government and
opposes its contamination.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
During the past year the names OF sixty-seven
men have been reported to the Commission who
have entered into polygamy. The Commission re-
news its recommendations OF last year. except
such as were enacted into laws at the last session
OF congress. The Commission also recommends
that authority be conferred upon the gov
ernOr OF the Territory to appoint the
following county officers: Selectnen clerks, asses
sors, recorders and superintendent OF district
schools.
In conclusion the report states that the results
Which have followed from the passage OF the Ed
munds act have been very beneficial to the Ter
ritOry.